ADVICE ON SCHOLARSHIPS

NO WRITER ATTRIBUTED
March 19, 1936

Tutor's opinions should carry much weight in the awarding of scholarships, but at present methods of obtaining information from this source are so, inadequate as to render it useless. When a scholarship application is received, the candidate's tutor is sent a blank upon which to express his ideas concerning the individual; this blank consists of two short paragraphs, the substance of which is contained in these sentences: "It will help the committee on scholarships if you will send us on this sheet an estimate of Mr. So-and-So's ability, as well as your opinion of his personality." The other question reads: "If you are able, to tell us anything of his financial status, please include this information."

Specific questions under the four general headings of Scholarship, Character, Outside Activities, and Financial Need, would result in a critical estimate of the candidate's tutorial work, and useful comments on his intellectual qualities; it would be possible to ascertain more fully the extent of his participation in extra-curricular activities, and the effect of this on his work. Tutors are in a position to supply valuable information in regard to a student's financial status,--what efforts he is making to earn his way, and whether a scholarship would result in more time for study.

The prevailing method of asking for information puts tutors in the difficult position of having to express vague generalities of little use to the scholarship committee. It their advice is to be worthwhile, they must be given the opportunity to elucidate fully and more specifically.